Stuffing machine for assembling newspapers or the like

ABSTRACT

A newspaper stuffing machine for assembling the sections of a newspaper, which includes a generally toroidal rotor carrying an endless series of carrier pockets past a series of feeding stations. The feeding stations feed sections of the newspaper into each pocket as it moves past the stations. The rotor is rotatably mounted upon a frame with both the rotor and the frame having generally aligned, vertically extending, central openings of sufficient size to enable the stuffing machine to be assembled about an obstruction, such as a building column.

United States Patent Peterson et al.

1 1 May 16, 1972 [54] STUFFING MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING NEWSPAPERS OR THELIKE [72] Inventors: Rehn Claus Peterson, Bethlehem; Robert AlexanderSt. Denis; Douglas Thomas Steckel, both of Easton, all of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Harris-Intertype Corp., Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Oct.14, 1969 [2]] Appl. No.: 866,258

[52] US. Cl ..270/55, 198/209,270/57, 270/58 [5 1] Int. Cl ..B65h 5/30[58] Field of Search ..270/54, 55, 57, 58; 198/209 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,415,201 2/1947 Zademach et al. ..l98/2092,461,573 2/1949 Schweizer ..270/55 2,800,995 7/1957 Zademach 19s/2092,818,162 12/1957 Musschootetal... 198/209X 2,892,627 6/1959 Newhouse..270/55 3,347,369 10/1967 06111611 ..19s/209x 3,420,516 1/1969Guggisberg... ..270/55 3,450,400 6/1969 Guggisberg ..270/55 PrimaryExaminer--R0bert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-L. R. OremlandAttorneyYount & Tarolli [57] ABSTRACT A newspaper stufiing machine forassembling the sections of a newspaper, which includes a generallytoroidal rotor carrying an endless series of carrier pockets past aseries of feeding stations. The feeding stations feed sections of thenewspaper into each pocket as it moves past the stations. The rotor isrotatably mounted upon a frame with both the rotor and the frame havinggenerally aligned, vertically extending, central openings of sufficientsize to enable the stuffing machine to be assembled about anobstruction, such as a building column.

21 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 16 B72 3, 663 O08 sum 2 OF 8 INVEN TORS PATENTEDMAY 18 m2 663 O08 sum a DP 8 \fii INVENTORS far y C-Fame v bee ETA. Srk/Yxs Lbuams 7 7621661 ATTOP/VEYS PATENTEDMAY 16 I972SHEET 5 OF 8 Ame- 8 PATENTEDHAY 16 L972 3. 663 O08 sum 7 UF 8 l N VENT0R5 STUFFING MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING NEWSPAPERS OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to a stuffing machine forassembling the sections of a newspaper or similar assemblage of foldedsheet material.

In the preparation of newspapers, it is often necessary to print thevarious sections of a newspaper at different times and later assemblethe separately printed sections to form a complete newspaper. Suchassembly of the newspapers from the separately printed sections mayoccur at the printing plant or, quite commonly, at the plant of anewspaper distributor. To perform the function of newspaper assembly, ithas been the practice to employ stuffing machines which assemble thenewspapers automatically.

Such stuffing machines have usually comprised a generally circular rotorcarrying an endless series of V-shaped carrier pockets in a horizontalcircular path past a series of feeding stations. The rotor is usuallysupported by providing a central vertical shaft having a plurality ofspider arms extending radially outwardly to drive the rotor. Typicallyeach carrier pocket includes two radially extending walls, a generallyvertical, fixed wall and an upwardly inclined, movable wall, pivotallyconnected adjacent their lower extremities to define an upwardly facing,V-shaped opening. At one of the feeding stations, a V-folded newspaperjacket is fed into each pocket. One wall of the jacket may be heldagainst the fixed wall by a vacuum cup therein while the other wall ofthe jacket falls against the inclined wall, thus opening the jacket. Ateach successive feeding station a different section of the newspaper isfed into the opened jacket in each carrier pocket as the carrier pocketsmove past the feeding stations. A stuffing machine of the type generallydescribed is exemplified by the disclosure of Schweizer, US. Pat. No.2,461,573, issued on Feb. 15, 1949.

Although generally satisfactory, it has been desired to increase thecapacity of such machines by increasing the number of carrier pockets.Such a step necessitates increasing the diameter of the rotor. However,the modern buildings in which stuffing machines are often installed arefrequently provided with building columns pitched apart at a distancewhich restricts the maximum diameter of any stuffing machine installed.As a result, stuffing machines currently in use are restricted bydiameter considerations to a range of about 48 carrier pockets permachine.

Another problem with some of the earlier stufling machines may arise inrelating the actuation of the vacuum cups associated with each carrierpocket utilized to open the outer section of the paper for reception ofthe inserted sections, with the arrival of a carrier pocket in registrywith each feeding station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a newspaperstufi'mg machine having a larger number of carrier pockets thanheretofore possible, which can still be installed in conventionalbuildings despite space limitations imposed by the presence of buildingcolumns or other obstructions.

This advantageous result is achieved by providing a rotor having anunobstructed central area enabling the rotor to be assembled about theobstruction without interfering contact with it. The rotor which maythus be made of suflicient diameter to carry an increased number ofcarrier pockets, is supported on a frame which also has a centralopening sufficiently large to enable the frame to be assembled about theobstruction. Supporting structure interposed between the rotor and theframe externally of the openings supports the rotor for rotation.

In another aspect of the invention, correlation of the operation of thesuction devices associated with each carrier pocket with the arrival ofthe pocket adjacent each feeding station is achieved by a vacuumapplication system. The rotor is provided with a peripherally extending,travelling ring seated in continuous sliding sealing contact against astationary ring secured to the frame. The travelling ring is providedwith a series of ports, each positioned adjacent to one of the carrierpockets with each port being connected to the vacuum cup of theassociated pocket. The stationary ring adjacent each feeding station isprovided with a groove positioned in the path of travel of the ports inthe travelling ring. As a carrier pocket moves adjacent a feedingstation, its associated port moved into registry with the grooveassociated with that feeding station. The groove is in fluidcommunication with the vacuum cup of the carrier pocket so that thevacuum is applied to the vacuum cup for operation thereof as the carrierpocket moves adjacent the station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A stuffing machine constructed inaccordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, isillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stuffing machine according to thepreferred embodiment, shown installed about an obstruction, such as forexample a building column;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a stationary frame forminga part of the stuffing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the stuffingmachine shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 33 therein;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a rotor forming part of thestuffing machine shown in FIG. 1, together with a track secured to therotor and locating wheels abutting the track to locate the rotor forrotation about a fixed axis of rotation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of thetrack shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of one of thelocating wheels contacting the track shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the frame showing the frame segments formingthe frame;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of the frame withportions thereof removed to show a drive train positioned within theframe;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a portion of the frameshown in FIG. 8 taken along the lines 99 therein;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, exploded view of a portion of a vacuumapplication system associated with the stuffing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1 l is a side elevational view of a portion of the vacuumapplication system shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the portion of the vacuum application systemshown in FIG. 10, and

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional end view of a portion of thevacuum application system shown in FIG. 11 taken along the lines 13-l3therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, a stuffing machine according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, includes a stationary frame 2 having a centralopening 4 extending vertically through the frame of sufficient area toextend with ample clearance about an obstruction, such as a buildingcolumn 6 shown for illustration.

Supported by the stationary frame 2, in a manner to be described, is ahorizontal rotor 10 of generally circular configuration which rotatesabout a vertical, central axis of the rotor. The rotor 10 carries anendless series of carrier pockets 12 in a circular path and beneath aseries of fixed feeding stations 14 spaced peripherally about andfixedly secured to the frame Each of the carrier pockets 12 includes tworadially extending walls, a generally vertical, fixed wall 12a and aninclined, movable wall 12b. The walls are connected for relativepivoting motion about a horizontal radially extending axis adjacenttheir lower extremities. The walls of each carrier pocket define anupwardly facing generally V shaped opening. As each pocket 12 passes afirst one of the feeding stations 14, a newspaper jacket comprising aV-folded sheet, is fed into the pocket. A vacuum cup (not shown)connected to the fixed wall 12a holds one-half of the V-folded jacketagainst the upright fixed wall of the pocket 12 while the other wall ofthe jacket falls against the inclined wall of the pocket. The jacket isthus sufficiently unfolded to enable it to receive successive sectionsof the newspaper which are fed into the jacket as the pocket passessuccessive feeding stations 14.

Insofar as the construction of the carrier pockets 12 and the feedingstations 14 is the same as that disclosed in prior U.S. Pat. Nos.2,461,573, issued on Feb. 15, 1949 and 2,634,971 issued on Apr. 14, 1953owned by the assignee of the present application, the relevantdisclosure of those patents is deemed to be incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the previously mentioned frame 2 may be seento include a toroidal shell 16 built up from a plurality of box-likesegments 8. The use of segments simplifies the transporting and erectionof shell 16 at its ultimate location. Each segment 8 (FIG. 8) includesvertically and peripherally extending outer walls 8a and inner walls 8bjoined at their peripheral extremities by vertical, radially extendingend walls 8c. Horizontal upper walls 8d and lower walls 8e secured tothe inner, outer and end walls of each segment completely enclose thespace within the segment (FIG. 3). The upper walls of the segment may beremovable, or hinged to the remaining segment structure, to permitaccess into the interior for servicing or like purposes (FIG. 1). Thesegments 8 of the shell 16 are fixedly secured together by fasteners 8f,with the end walls 80 of adjacent segments in abutting relation (FIGS. 7and 8). The outer vertical walls 8a of the segments 8 define a polygonalperipheral surface approximating a circular configuration, while theinner walls 8b of the segments 8 define a polygonal opening extendingsymmetrically about the vertical axis of the frame.

The toroidal shell 16 is supported horizontally above the ground by aplurality of legs 20 secured at their upper ends to the under side ofthe shell (FIG. 2). At their lower ends, the legs 20 are secured to atoroidal platform 21 secured to suitable supporting structure such asthe floor. The platform 21 is also built up from a plurality of segments22 which are generally arcuate in form and each include a horizontalupper wall 23 (FIG. 3) supported on a plurality of depending webs 24.The platform segments 22 are fixedly connected together around theobstruction, and define a circular central opening 25 concentric withthe axis of the frame and of sufficiently great internal diameter toextend outside the area beneath the central opening in the toroidalshell 16.

The previously mentioned rotor 10, which is also constructed as aplurality of segments, is of toroidal shape and is supported forrotation about a vertical axis concentric with the vertical axis of theframe. The rotor has a larger internal diameter than the largestcross-sectional dimension of the opening 4 in the frame so that when theframe is installed about an obstruction, the rotor may rotate freelywithout interfering contact with the obstruction. Fixedly secured to theouterperiphery of the rotor 10 (FIG. 3) are a plurality of the carrierpocket assemblies 12 which, as previously indicated, are of the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,461,573.

To support and locate the rotor 10 for rotation, a circular track 26(FIG. 3) of generally rectangular vertical cross section is fixedlysecured to the underside of the rotor 10 in concentric relationtherewith. The track 26 includes a downwardly facing, horizontal,peripherally extending supporting surface 27 and a vertical,peripherally extending, outwardly facing locating surface 28. The track26 is constituted by a plurality of arcuate track segments 29 inend-to-end relation. The supporting surface 27 of the track rests uponthe peripheral, edge surfaces of a plurality of supporting wheels 30spaced about the circumference of a circle concentric with the verticalaxis of the frame 2. Each of the supporting wheels 30 is rotatablymounted on an associated one of a plurality of fixed supporting brackets32. The brackets 32 are fixedly secured at their lower ends to thesupporting platform 21.

The peripheral edge of each of the wheels in rolling contact with thesupporting surface 27 of the track is bevelled at such an inclinationthat the radius of the wheel diminishes in a direction radially inwardlyof the track 26. Thus the edge of each wheel 30 has its greatest radius,and fastest peripheral speed at the outer edge of the supporting surface27 of the track where the peripheral speed of the latter is largest, andits least radius and lowest peripheral speed at the inner edge of thesupporting surface 27 where the speed is also correspondingly lower.Bevelling of the edge surface of each supporting wheel 30 in this waythus enables the wheel to run in continuous non-skidding contact acrossthe full width of the peripheral edge in contact with the tracksupporting surface.

To position the bevelled edge of each wheel 30 flat against the surface27 of the track, each supporting wheel 30 is mounted upon an axle 34which is skewed upwardly in a direction radially inward of the frame, inits connection to the associated one of the brackets 32.

To locate the rotor 10 for concentric rotation about the vertical axisof the frame 2, a plurality of locating wheels 36 (FIG. 4) is provided.Each of the locating wheels 36 is mounted on an associated one of thebrackets 32 by a vertical axle 38 secured to horizontal portions 39 ofthe bracket (FIG. 3). The various locating wheels 36 each have theirvertical peripheral edge surface in rolling contact with the locatingsurface 28 of the track and collectively maintain motion of the track inconcentric rotation with the vertical axis of the frame.

To facilitate positional adjustment of each locating wheel 36 wheninitially locating the rotor for concentric rotation about the axis ofthe frame, each vertical axle 38 supporting the wheel for rotation, isfixedly secured to the associated bracket portion 39 by a threadedconnector 40 extending vertically through the axle 38. Axle 38 ismounted in a bushing which is eccentrically supported with respect tobracket portion 39. By means of the eccentric bushing, the position ofthe wheel may be moved radially in or out relative to the frame asdesired.

To promote quiet running and prolong track and wheel life, theperipheral edge surfaces of the supporting wheels 32 and locating wheels36 are provided with tires of resilient material, such as polyurethanefoam, natural or artificial rubber or the like.

As has-been indicated the frame 2, comprising the shell 16 and theplatform 21, the rotor 10 and the track 26 are all formed in segments.Thus at the site of installation, the various segments may be assembledtogether around an obstruction such as a building column to enable thecompleted machine to be installed about the obstruction. Thus, whereasprevious stufiing machines having an obstructed central area had to bepositioned between adjacent building columns in a plant, the stuffingmachine of the present invention may be installed around a buildingcolumn. Significant advantages result. In particular, with the presentconstruction, the maximum rotor diameter of a machine installed aboutthe center column of three equally pitched columns may be substantiallyequal to the distance between the two outside columns, whereas priormachines incapable of being mounted about a column were restricted to amaximum rotor diameter generally equal to the spacing between twoadjacent columns. As a result stuffing machines having substantiallygreater diameters then heretofore, and hence carrying greater numbers ofcarrier pockets resulting in greater output, yet still capable ofinstallation in the same restricted area locations as present machines,may be provided.

The ends of adjacent track segments 29 (FIG. 5) are bevelled in both thehorizontal and vertical planes in mating relation. The bevelled ends ofadjacent segments define a horizontal joint line (FIG. 4), extendingacross the supporting surface 28, which is inclined obliquely to thepath of travel of the supporting wheels 30 relative to the track. Thisoblique inclination avoids the abrupt impact between the wheelperipheries and the joint line 42 as it passes over the wheel (the typeof impact well known to travellers by rail) and thereby prolongs thelife of the supporting wheels and the tires thereon.

Similarly, the bevelled end faces of adjacent traclt segments 29 definea vertical joint line 44 on the locating surface which is also obliquelyinclined to the path of travel of the locating wheels relative to thelocating surface, to prolong the life of the locating wheels.

To drive the rotor 10, an endless chain 50 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is fixedlysecured in circular configuration concentric with the axis of rotationof the rotor to the underside thereof. The chain 50 is drivingly engagedby a sprocket wheel 52 mounted on a vertical output shaft 53 of agearbox 54 (FIG. 2) fixedly secured to the platform 21. Drive to thegear box 54 is from a conventional electric motor 56 via an intermediategear box 58.

The gear box 58 includes additional output shaft 60 (FIG. 9) extendingvertically and connected at its upper end to a gear box 62 mountedwithin one of the segments 8 of the shell 16 of the frame. A horizontaloutput shaft 64 from the gear box 62 is connected by a belt and shaftdrive 65 to a transverse power shaft 66 (FIG. 8) mounted in the same oneof the segments 8 of the frame. The output of the transverse power shaft66 is taken via a plurality of universal joints and shafts 68 and 70respectively to the various feeding stations 14 distributed about theperiphery of the frame, to provide driving power for these stations. Itwill be appreciated that the essentially closed loop power distributionarrangement described obviates the necessity to provide drive structurein the center of the frame, so that the center of the stuffing machinemay be left entirely unobstructed to provide the advantageous resultspreviously described.

As previously indicated it is necessary that vacuum be applied to eachcarrier pocket 12 during the period in which the newspaper jacket isbeing fed into the pocket in order that the jacket may be openedsufficiently for reception of the subsequent sections of the paper. Avacuum application system for this purpose is shown in FIGS. -13. Thesystem includes a circular, travelling ring 70 concentric with andfixedly secured to the upper surface of the rotor 10. The travellingring 70, which may be metal, is provided with a plurality of ports 72extending vertically through the ring 70 spaced about the circumferenceof a circle concentric with the rotor. Each of the ports 72 is connectedthrough a fluid line 74 to the vacuum cup in the adjacent one of thecarrier pockets for application of vacuum thereto as described aforesaidin US. Pat.

No. 2,461,573. The travelling ring 70 further includes a flat,

peripherally extending, horizontal upper surface 76 in sliding, sealingcontinuous abutting contact with a corresponding fiat horizontal lowersurface 78 on a fixed ring 80.

The fixed ring 80 which may be of light material such as plastic isspaced below an upper ring 82 (FIGS. 3, 10, 13) which is fixedly securedto and underlying the shell 16 of the frame 2. A plurality of verticallyextending locating pins 84 secured to the fixed ring 80 extend upwardlythrough mating holes in the upper ring 82 to maintain the upper andfixed rings in fixed alignment while permitting relative vertical motiontherebetween. Extending between the upper ring 82 and the lower fixedring 80 and sleeved about the locating pins 84 are a plurality ofbiasing springs 86. The biasing springs 86 urge the fixed ring 78downwardly into contact with the travelling ring 70 to maintain a fluidtight seal therebetween. In addition it has been found that the vacuumapplied (as will be described) draws the fixed and travelling ringstogether to enhance the seal.

Adjacent the feeding station 14 at which a vacuum is to be applied toeach carrier pocket as it travels past the station, a groove 90 isprovided in the lower surface of the ring 80, extending upwardly into anintegral rectangular section rib 91 positioned centrally on the uppersurface ofthe fixed ring. The groove 90 which is arcuate and extendsalong the path of travel of the ports 72 in the travelling ring 70 is incontinuous communication with a source of vacuum (not shown) through asuitable vacuum line 94. As a carrier pocket moves adjacent the feedingstation 14 at which the vacuum is to be applied, the associated port 72in the travelling ring 70 moves into registry with the groove 90 in thefixed ring so that vacuum is applied through the groove and the port toapply vacuum to the vacuum cup in the carrier pocket. The groove extendsperipherally for a sufficient distance to permit vacuum to be applied aslong as is required for opening of the jacket to facilitate subsequentinsertion of further sections of the newspaper.

The fixed, the upper and travelling rings are each formed in segmentswhich may be fixedly secured together in end-to-end relation tofacilitate assembly of the machine around an obstruction, for thereasons previously discussed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a newspaper stuffing machine for assembling sections of anewspaper together, the machine including an endless series of carrierpockets adapted to move in a generally circular path and a series offeeding stations spaced along the path, the feeding stations feedingsections of the newspaper into each pocket as each pocket movessuccessively past the stations, the improvement comprising:

a. a generally toroidal rotor adapted for rotation with respect to avertical axis of rotation, said rotor carrying the series of carrierpockets, said rotor having an unobstructed opening extending verticallythrough said rotor, said opening disposed generally symmetrically aboutthe vertical axis of rotation of said rotor passing generally centrallythereof;

b. a frame having an additional unobstructed opening extendingvertically through said frame;

c. means interposed between said rotor and said frame externally of saidopening and said additional opening for supporting said rotor forrotation about the vertical axis of rotation with said opening in saidrotor and said additional opening in said frame being generally invertical alignment to define an unobstructed central area extendingvertically through the machine;

d. means external to said openings in engagement with said rotor fordriving said rotor in rotation about the vertical axis of rotation, and

e. means external to said openings for operating said feeding stationswhereby said openings are wholly unobstructed when the machine isoperating.

2. A newspaper stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 in which saidtoroidal rotor comprises a plurality of elements each in the form of asegment of a toroid, each of said plurality of elements being connectedto said element adjacent thereto.

3. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said framecomprises a plurality of members, each segment of a toroid, each saidmember comprising:

a. an inner wall:

b. an outer wall arcuate in form spaced apart and substantially parallelto said inner wall;

c. a pair of end walls converging with respect to one another toward thevertical axis of rotation and extending between said outer wall and saidinner wall; and

d. a pair of plate members covering the upper and lower portions of saidrotor.

4. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 3 in which said upperplate member is removably attached to said member in order to provideaccess to the interior thereof.

5. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 3 and further comprisingmeans extending through the interior of said plurality of frame memberseach in the form of a segment for operating the series of feedingstations.

6. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 5 in which said meansextending through the interior of said plurality of frame members eachin the form of a segment comprises:

a. a gear drive disposed in said frame members which are adjacent toeach of the feeding stations, and

b. shafts extending through the interiors of said frame members whichare segments of a toroid for coupling said gear drives to one another.

7. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 6 in which each of saidshafts coupling said gear drives to one another includes a flexiblecoupling connected to each of the opposite ends thereof to enable saidshafts to extend through the interior of the frame members which aresegments of a toroid.

8. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said meansinterposed between said rotor and said frame externally of said openingand said additional opening for supporting said rotor for rotation aboutthe vertical axis of rotation comprises:

a. a generally toroidal track concentric with the vertical axis ofrotation of said rotor and connected to the bottom portion of said rotorwith an operable surface of said track facing downwardly, and

b. a plurality of means for providing rolling support to said rotor,said plurality of said supporting means being mounted upon said frame,spaced apart from one another about said opening of said frame, and inrolling engagement with said track.

9. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 5 in which said trackincludes:

a. an additional operable surface extending in a substantiallycylindrical form about the periphery of said track, and

b. a plurality of additional means for providing rolling support in aradial direction with respect to said additional surface of said track,said additional supporting means being mounted with respect to saidframe and disposed spaced apart from one another radially outwardly ofsaid track.

10. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 9 in which said track isformed of a plurality of peripherally extending arcuate segments joinedin end-to-end relationship with respect to one another, the adjacentends of each of said segments being bevelled in a mating relationshipwith one another to provide a line of junction therebetween extendingobliquely across said additional operable surface with respect to thepath of travel of said additional supporting means thereon, whereby saidadditional supporting means progressively engages different portions ofsaid joint line as said additional supporting means rolls with respectthereto.

11. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 8 in which said track isformed of a plurality of peripherally extending arcuate segments joinedin end-to-end relationship with respect to one another, the adjacentends of each of said segments being bevelled in a mating relationshipwith one another to provide a line of junction therebetween extendingobliquely across said operable surface with respect to the path oftravel of said supporting means thereon, whereby said supporting meansprogressively engages different portions of said joint line as saidsupporting means rolls with respect thereto.

12. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 8 in which saidplurality of means for providing rolling support to said rotorcomprises:

a. a plurality of supporting rollers spaced apart from one another andhaving the surfaces thereof engaged in rolling contact with the operablesurface of said track, and

b. axle means for rotatably mounting each of said plurality of rollerswith respect to said frame,

. each of said plurality of rollers having a peripheral sur face portionwhich is bevelled in the form of a portion of a cone,

d. each of said plurality of rollers being mounted by its respectiveaxle means to position each of said rollers in rolling engagement withsaid track with said axle means extending radially and at an angle tothe horizontal, whereby each of said plurality of rollers is enabled tobe in rolling engagement with said track without skidding or slippingwith respect thereto.

13. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 12 and furthercomprising a tire disposed about the periphery of each of said pluralityof rollers, said tire being formed of a layer of resin material adaptedto withstand rolling engagement with said track, whereby said tireeliminates the need for lubrication between said plurality of rollersand said track and reduces vibration and noise resulting from therolling engagement thereof with said track.

14. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drivingmeans includes:

a. an endless driven element connected to said rotor and extending aboutsaid opening thereof; and

b. a driving element in engagement with said endless driven element andmounted with respect to said frame.

15. A newspaper stuffing machine according to claim 1 and furtherincluding means for selectively applying vacuum to at least one of saidfeeding stations for operation thereof as a carrier pocket movesadjacent said station, said vacuum applying means including,

i. a stationary ring fixedly connected with said frame ex-' ternally ofsaid additional opening and extending concentrically about said axis ofrotation,

ii. a travelling ring fixedly connected with said rotor externally ofsaid of said opening, said stationary and travelling rings havingperipherally extending opposed mating surfaces in continuous slidingsealing contact,

iii. a series of ports in said travelling ring each positioned adjacentone of the carrier pockets, each said port being operatively connectedwith the associated carrier pocket and extending through said travellingring to said sliding surfaces,

iiii. an arcuate groove in said mating surface of the stationary ringadjacent said one feeding station, said groove being positioned in thepath of travel of said ports so that motion of one of said ports intoregistry with said groove causes vacuum to be applied thereto; and

v. means for connecting said groove to a source of vacuum.

16. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 15 and furthercomprising means for resiliently biasing said opposed mating surfaces ofsaid stationary ring and said travelling ring into contact with eachother.

17. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 16 in which said meansfor resiliently biasing said opposed mating surfaces into contact withone another comprises a plurality of springs in engagement with saidstationary ring and urging said stationary ring toward said travellingring.

18. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said meansfor operating said feeding stations includes,

gear drive means on said frame adjacent to each of the feeding stations,and

shaft means extending around said additional opening and coupling saidgear drives to one another.

19. A newspaper stuffing machine for assembling sections of a newspapertogether, the machine including an endless series of carrier pocketsadapted to move in a generally circular path, a series of feedingstations spaced along the path, said feeding stations feeding sectionsof the newspaper into each pocket as each pocket moves successively pastthe stations, a rotor adapted for rotation with respect to a verticalaxis of rotation with said rotor carrying a series of carrier pockets,track means connected to said rotor with said track means having anoperable surface parallel to the plane of rotation of said rotor, aplurality of supporting rollers spaced apart from one another and havingthe surfaces thereof engaged in rolling contact with the operablesurface of said track, axle means for rotatably supporting each of saidrollers, each of said rollers having a peripheral surface portion whichis bevelled in the form of a portion of a cone and each of saidplurality of rollers being mounted by its respective axle means toposition each of said rollers in rolling engagement with said track withsaid axle means extending radially and at an angle to said plane wherebyeach of said plurality of rollers is in rolling engagetions, ment withsaid track without skidding or slipping with respect drive shaft meansextending from station to station along thereto. said closed path andcoupling said drive means to one 20. A newspaper stuffing machine forassembling sections another, and of a newspaper together, the machineincluding, means connected to said drive shaft means for rotating saidan endless series of carrier pockets adapted to move in a drive Shaftmeans in ynchronism Wi h he movement of closed path, said carrierpockets. aseries ff di Stations spaced along the path, 21. The stuffingmachine of claim 23 wherein said drive each of said feeding stationsincluding drive means for ac- Shaft means includes a plurality 0f Shaftsand flexible tuating feeding of sections of the newspaper into eachcouplmgs' pocket as each pocket moves successively past the sta-

1. In a newspaper stuffing machine for assembling sections of anewspaper together, the machine including an endless series of carrierpockets adapted to move in a generally circular path and a series offeeding stations spaced along the path, the feeding stations feedingsections of the newspaper into each pocket as each pocket movessuccessively past the stations, the improvement comprising: a. agenerally toroidal rotor adapted for rotation with respect to a verticalaxis of rotation, said rotor carrying the series of carrier pockets,said rotor having an unobstructed opening extending vertically throughsaid rotor, said opening disposed generally symmetrically about thevertical axis of rotation of said rotor passing generally centrallythereof; b. a frame having an additional unobstructed opening extendingvertically through said frame; c. means interposed between said rotorand said frame externally of said opening and said additional openingfor supporting said rotor for rotation about the vertical axis ofrotation with said opening in said rotor and said additional opening insaid frame being generally in vertical alignment to define anunobstructed central area extending vertically through the machine; d.means external to said openings in engagement with said rotor fordriving said rotor in rotation about the vertical axis of rotation, ande. means external to said openings for operating said feeding stationswhereby said openings are wholly unobstructed when the machine isoperating.
 2. A newspaper stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 inwhich said toroidal rotor comprises a plurality of elements each in theform of a segment of a toroid, each of said plurality of elements beingconnected to said element adjacent thereto.
 3. A stuffing machine inaccordance with claim 1 in which said frame comprises a plurality ofmembers, each segment of a toroid, each said member comprising: a. aninner wall: b. an outer wall arcuate in form spaced apart andsubstantially parallel to said inner wall; c. a pair of end wallsconverging with respect to one another toward the vertical axis ofrotation and extending between said outer wall and said inner wall; andd. a pair of plate members covering the upper and lower portions of saidrotor.
 4. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 3 in which saidupper plate member is removably attached to said member in order toprovide access to the interior thereof.
 5. A stuffing machine inaccordance with claim 3 and further comprising means extending throughthe interior of said plurality of frame members each in the form of asegment for operating the series of feeding stations.
 6. A stuffingmachine in accordance with claim 5 in which said means extending throughthe interior of said plurality of frame members each in the form of asegment comprises: a. a gear drive disposed in said frame members whichare adjacent to each of the feeding stations, and b. shafts extendingthrough the interiors of said frame members which are segments of atoroid for coupling said gear drives to one another.
 7. A stuffingmachine in accordance with claim 6 in which each of said shafts couplingsaid gear drives to one another includes a flexible coupling connectedto each of the opposite ends thereof to enable said shafts to extendthrough the interior of the frame members which are segments of atoroid.
 8. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 in which saidmeans interposed between said rotor and said frame externally of saidopening and said additional opening for supporting said rotor forrotation about the vertical axis of rotation comprises: a. a generallytoroidal track concentric with the vertical axis of rotation of saidrotor and connected to the bottom portion of said rotor with an operablesurface of said track facing downwardly, and b. a plurality of means forproviding rolling support to said rotor, said plurality of saidsupporting means being mounted upon said frame, spaced apart from oneanother about said opening of said frame, and in rolling engagement withsaid track.
 9. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 5 in whichsaid track includes: a. an additional operable surface extending in asubstantially cylindrical form about the periphery of said track, and b.a plurality of additional means for providing rolling support in aradial direction with respect to said additional surface of said track,said additional supporting means being mounted with respect to saidframe and disposed spaced apart from one another radially outwardly ofsaid track.
 10. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 9 in whichsaid track is formed of a plurality of peripherally extending arcuatesegments joined in end-to-end relationship with respect to one another,the adjacent ends of each of said segments being bevelled in a matingrelationship with one another to provide a line of junction therebetweenextending obliquely across said additional operable surface with respectto the path of travel of said additional supporting means thereon,whereby said additional supporting means progressively engages differentportions of said joint line as said additional supporting means rollswith respect thereto.
 11. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 8in which said track is formed of a plurality of peripherally extendingarcuate segments joined in end-to-end relationship with respect to oneanother, the adjacent ends of each of said segments being bevelled in amating relationship with one another to provide a line of junctiontherebetween extending obliquely across said operable surface withrespect to the path of travel of said supporting means thereon, wherebysaid supporting means progressively engages different portions of saidjoint line as said supporting means rolls with respect thereto.
 12. Astuffing machine in accordance with claim 8 in which said plurality ofmeans for providing rolling support to said rotor comprises: a. aplurality of supporting rollers spaced apart from one another and havingthe surfaces thereof engaged in rolling contact with the operablesurface of said track, and b. axle means for rotatably mounting each ofsaid plurality of rollers with respect to said frame, c. each of saidplurality of rollers having a peripheral surface portion which isbevelled in the form of a portion of a cone, d. each of said pluralityof rollers being mounted by its respective axle means to position eachof said rollers in rolling engagement with said track with said axlemeans extending radially and at an angle to the horizontal, whereby eachof said plurality of rollers is enabled to be in rolling engagement withsaid track without skidding or slipping with respect thereto.
 13. Astuffing machine in accordance with claim 12 and further comprising atire disposed about the periphery of each of said plurality of rollers,said tire being formed of a layer of resin material adapted to withstandrolling engagement with said track, whereby said tire eliminates theneed for lubrication between said plurality of rollers and said trackand reduces vibration and noise resulting from the rolling engagementthereof with said track.
 14. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim1 wherein said driving means includes: a. an endless driven elementconnected to said rotor and extending about said opening thereof; and b.a driving element in engagement with said endless driven element andmounted with respect to said frame.
 15. A newspaper stuffing machineaccording to claim 1 and further including means for selectivelyapplying vacuum to at least one of said feeding stations for operationthereof as a carrier pocket moves adjacent said station, said vacuumapplying means including, i. a stationary ring fixedly connected withsaid frame externally of said additional opening and extendingconcentrically about said axis of rotation, ii. a travelling ringfixedly connected with said rotor externally of said of said opening,said stationary and travelling rings having peripherally extendingopposed mating surfaces in continuous sliding sealing contact, iii. aseries of ports in said travelling ring each positioned adjacent one ofthe carrier pockets, each said port being operatively connected with theassociated carrier pocket and extending through said travelling ring tosaid sliding surfaces, iiii. an arcuate groove in said mating surface ofthe stationary ring adjacent said one feeding station, said groove beingpositioned in the path of travel of said ports so that motion of one ofsaid ports into registry with said groove causes vacuum to be appliedthereto; and v. means for connecting said groove to a source of vacuum.16. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 15 and furthercomprising means for resilienTly biasing said opposed mating surfaces ofsaid stationary ring and said travelling ring into contact with eachother.
 17. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 16 in which saidmeans for resiliently biasing said opposed mating surfaces into contactwith one another comprises a plurality of springs in engagement withsaid stationary ring and urging said stationary ring toward saidtravelling ring.
 18. A stuffing machine in accordance with claim 1 inwhich said means for operating said feeding stations includes, geardrive means on said frame adjacent to each of the feeding stations, andshaft means extending around said additional opening and coupling saidgear drives to one another.
 19. A newspaper stuffing machine forassembling sections of a newspaper together, the machine including anendless series of carrier pockets adapted to move in a generallycircular path, a series of feeding stations spaced along the path, saidfeeding stations feeding sections of the newspaper into each pocket aseach pocket moves successively past the stations, a rotor adapted forrotation with respect to a vertical axis of rotation with said rotorcarrying a series of carrier pockets, track means connected to saidrotor with said track means having an operable surface parallel to theplane of rotation of said rotor, a plurality of supporting rollersspaced apart from one another and having the surfaces thereof engaged inrolling contact with the operable surface of said track, axle means forrotatably supporting each of said rollers, each of said rollers having aperipheral surface portion which is bevelled in the form of a portion ofa cone and each of said plurality of rollers being mounted by itsrespective axle means to position each of said rollers in rollingengagement with said track with said axle means extending radially andat an angle to said plane whereby each of said plurality of rollers isin rolling engagement with said track without skidding or slipping withrespect thereto.
 20. A newspaper stuffing machine for assemblingsections of a newspaper together, the machine including, an endlessseries of carrier pockets adapted to move in a closed path, a series offeeding stations spaced along the path, each of said feeding stationsincluding drive means for actuating feeding of sections of the newspaperinto each pocket as each pocket moves successively past the stations,drive shaft means extending from station to station along said closedpath and coupling said drive means to one another, and means connectedto said drive shaft means for rotating said drive shaft means insynchronism with the movement of said carrier pockets.
 21. The stuffingmachine of claim 23 wherein said drive shaft means includes a pluralityof shafts and flexible couplings.